Gwyneth J. Saunders/The Sun Today Jason Meyer, who is both the Mobile Wellness Unit driver and the medical technician, take a blood pressure reading of Claire Sexton. She and her husband have used the program for several years as a way to keep track of blood sugar and other vital signs between routine medical exams.

Gwyneth J. Saunders/The Sun Today Darlene Prest, who brought the first Pickleball games to Sun City from Florida, is a regular visitor to the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Mobile Wellness Unit when it stops at Sun City.

Gwyneth J. Saunders/The Sun Today Potential users of CHiP look over the paperwork that lists various health exams available. The Beaufort Memorial Hospital Mobile Health Unit travels throughout Beaufort and Jasper counties as part of the Community Health Improvement Program.

Jason Meyer spends 15 days a month driving his office to work. When he pulls into a parking lot, it doesn't take long for a line of clients to form.

Meyer's office is the Mobile Wellness Unit of Beaufort Memorial Hospital's Community Health Improvement Program — CHiP — and he makes routine health care convenient for people who may not have regular transportation to medical centers or health clinics.

"We're not too busy today," Meyers said during a March stop at Sun City. "We were just here about a week ago for the Day of Dance wellness event."

The van provides residents of all ages with the opportunity to get blood pressure checks for hypertension and blood sugar checks for diabetes for free. For $10 each test, Meyer will also draw blood for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screenings, HgbA1C (a three-month blood sugar average) and cholesterol. Those services are offered on every stop.

Meyer is the mobile wellness specialist and has been driving the van for 10 years. He usually sees anywhere from 25 to 60 residents on his stop in the Pinckney Hall parking lot, depending on the time of year.

Staying in good health

Part-timer Virginia Zeeb just had two stints put in at the end of October and took advantage of the van's convenience to get her cholesterol checked.

"I read about this van and I like the convenience. I don't have to make an appointment and go to a doctor's office," the Michigan native said. "They don't need to know my insurance — it's just cash and go. So far I'm doing well and this will keep me on the straight and narrow."

It was a first visit for Jeanne Thompson, too.

"I'm getting a reading on my cholesterol," she said. "I've got a physical coming up in July so I thought I'd just go ahead and see what it looks like."

The reasons are the same for the regulars, some of whom have been using the van's services for more than seven years. Brian Cripps stops by two or three times a year for PSA tests, prostate and lipid tests for cholesterol.

"I keep track of it all," said Cripps. "Having had five bypasses, I keep track, I'm on a strict diet and I workout. I'm on the border with sugar so I keep an eye on that, too.

"I like the convenience. It's well-run, it's always here and the results come back within about three days," he added. "It's a low-cost investment and if you miss it here, it's at Kitties Crossing on the fourth Wednesday."

That's not the only place the van visits in the area. It covers both Beaufort and Jasper counties and ranges from the Sam's Club on Hilton Head Island to the Ridgeland Senior Center, from Burton Wells to Beaufort to Lady's Island.

The convenience and peace of mind are what matters to most of the van's clients.

"I just like to check it every so often because of so many people having diabetes," said Claire Sexton as she got her blood drawn. "It's convenient."

CHECK YOUR HEALTH WITH CHIP

The Mobile Wellness Van is available at no cost for community events in addition to scheduled visits, including the following locations:

• Sun City 9 a.m.-1 p.m. second Monday

• Hardeeville Senior Center 10-11 a.m. fourth Tuesday

• Bluffton Senior Center 10-11 a.m. third Wednesday

• Former Goody's Clothing (by Target) 9 a.m.-noon fourth Wednesday

• Ridgeland Senior Center 10-11 a.m. fourth Thursday

For other locations, directions and to confirm dates and times, call 522-5568.

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